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Schalke 04 v Arsenal: Walcott to start at last and a defensive reshuffle

Arsenal's loss to Schalke a fortnight ago came as a big shock to Arsene Wenger's team, being their first home defeat in the competition for 16 matches and first group stage loss, as well as first loss to non-English opposition, on home turf since September 2003. The Gunners now head to Germany to play the reverse fixture knowing that defeat would leave their Champions League hopes in the balance.

The last time Arsenal played against the Bundesliga side in Gelsenkirchen, it was Schalke who ran out winners, beating the Gunners 3-1 back in 2001. Both sides tasted domestic defeat at the weekend, with Germans losing 3-2 at Hoffenheim leaving them second in the table, seven points behind Bayern, but it is Arsenal who are perhaps smarting most, with their 2-0 loss to Manchester United once again exposing some pretty big holes in their side. All of which leaves some intriguing questions ahead of this key Group B Champions League tie for the Gunners…

Will Wenger play Theo Walcott?
Theo Walcott can't buy a start this season, but the pacey winger will surely be too difficult to ignore when Arsene Wenger names his starting XI for the Schalke game. His heroics in the Capital One Cup reminded everyone how effective he can be and, with Aaron Ramsey and Gervinho set to miss the clash through injury, there is no reason for Wenger to ignore Walcott's claims. Arsenal struggled to penetrate the Schalke backline a fortnight ago and will hopefully use Walcott's speed to exploit Joel Matip's weakness in defence.

What to do with Jack Wilshere?
Although Jack Wilshere was sent off at the weekend, he did manage to get another 70 minutes under his belt, as he continues his return to first team football following 18 months out of action. It will take the young playmaker a little while longer to get up to speed, but his red card at the weekend could see Arsene Wenger deploy him for Tuesday's crunch Champions League clash. While Wilshere's presence in the midfield has been sorely missed by Arsenal, he needs to gel with Mikel Arteta, who along with Santi Cazorla has been at the heart of the Gunners' best play this season.

How to deal with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar?
A fortnight ago Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was earmarked as Schalke's main goal threat and the Dutchman didn't disappoint, as he grabbed the opening goal in their 2-0 victory. That night he exposed some of the defensive frailties that have plagued Arsenal at times this season. The Gunners will be more wary of his movements this time around, but the ease with which both Robin Van Persie and Antonio Valencia waltzed past Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker at the weekend has asked some questions of the defensive pairing. Vermaelen has looked uncertain at times this season, and given Laurent Koscielny's ability at this level, there is an argument to see the Frenchman brought in and Vermaelen pushed to left-back.